Lever-lock for automobiles.



E. H. BRYANT.

LEVER LOCK FOR AUTOMOBILES. APPLIUATIONVHLBD MAR. 1, 1913.

1,101, 1 1 7. Patented June 23,1914.

AAAA AAA-l erases @naar este EARNEST H. BRYANT, F CLEVELAND, OHID,ASSIGNOR T0 THE E. H. BRYANT COMANY, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ACO'RPORATIGH0F OHIO.

LEVEBPLOCK FOR ATOfTOBEEE-.

momie.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EARNEST. H. BRYANT, acitizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county or'Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Lever-Locks for Automobiles, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention appertains to lever locks for automobiles ormotorvehicles, and is especially an improvement or reiinement ot the lockdisclosed in my eopending application, Serial No. (342,990, tiled August8, 1911.

This invention contemplates the provision of a novel and improved lockoiI the character indicated, which may be attached to the hand or gearshift levers of variousinacliines and which shall be operable to engagethe speed gate', segment or quadrant in which the lever Works, so as tolock the lever in neutral position and to thereby prevent the shiftinger inter-meshing of the transmission or speed change gears.

It is also the object of the invention to provide a lock ot the typesuggested, which shall embody a spring-pressed speed gate engagingmember that may be readily pressed,

pushed or forced into depressed or speed gate-engaging position, andwhich shall embody key-controlled means for retaining the gate-engagingmember in operative or locking position, so that unwarranted` releasingor liberating of' the lever b those maliciously or mischievously incined is prev vented, and so that the introduction or iiisertion of aproper key will permit the gateengaging Amember to release the speedgate and return to normal or initial position due to the tension of itsspring.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lever lockconstituting a novel, compact and improved assemblage ot parts toincrease the etliciency, utility and other characteristics generally,and to provide a highly desirable, meritorious and serviceable lock.

A further object'of the invention is to provide a lock of the naturespecified which shall be applicable to various levers in such a manneras not to be capable of ready displacement or distortion by maliciouspersons or due to the conditions to Which the lock is otherwisesubjected in use.

Ar still further object 1s to provide a novel Specification of LettersEstant.

Application. filed. March l, 1913. Seriallo. 751.4;@L

Patented June 23, i914.

concealed spring for norinally raising the speed-gate engaging member.

It is also the object of the invention to provide a novel-closure forthe lock which shall conceal and render inaccessible the interiorWorking parts of the lock when it is engaged to the casing of the lock,but which shall permit of the ready assemblage of the parts prior to itsengagement With the cas- With the foregoing general objects outlined andWith other objects in view, which will appear as the nature of theinvention is better' understood, the present invention resides in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of partshereina'fter describedand claimed, it being understood this invention may be susceptible tovarious alterations and modilications within the scope of what isclaimed without departing from the spirit of the invention and Withoutsacrificing the benelits derived.

The invention has been illustrated in its' preferred embodiment in theaccompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a perspective View of the lockas applied to a lever and showing th'e parts in position to dead-lockthe lever. Fig. 2. is a vertical section of the lock. Figs. 3, 4 and 5are sectional views taken on the respective lines 3--3, 4--4 and 5-5 ofFig. 2. Fig. G is a sectional detail.

ln carrying out the present invention, reference being had to thedrawing in detail, there is provided a case or body 6, which isattachable to the lever L which Works in the speed gate Gr, it beingunderstood that when the transmission is idle or at neutral, the

`lever will stand at such a position that it must be shifted laterallyand then swung in order to operate the transmission gearing so as toconnect the. motor with the propel ling Wheels. It is to be understood,however, that the present lock may be applied to various levers andspeed gates.

The case 6 has an opening '7 extending from one side to the other aroundthe front, and terminating adjoining 'the back of the case, and aclosure, capor cover 8 is provided for the opening. The cap is U-shapedand the edges ot' the cap and opening are provided vvith theinterengaging rabbets or grooves 9, which facilitate the positioning ofthe cap, as Well as holding the cap rigid when slid to position. Theends of the cap are adapted to abut against the ends oi the opening, asat l0, and it is to be noted that the opening 7 is completely closed andthat the cap is flush with the case. At the ends of the opening 7 thecase is provided with the inturned or inwardly projecting cars or lugs2l, while the ends of the cap are provided with the complementary hooksor catches 26. The hooks Q6 are designed to snap or lock into engagementwith the ears 2l when the cap is slid home, so as to prevent thesubsequent removal of the cap. It is to be understood that the cap isnot made fast until the case has been properly applied to the lever, aswill be described.

As a. means for attaching the case to the lever, there has been providedthe following essentials: The back of the case is provided with a pairof outwardly projecting flanges 1l, which are preferably tapered `fromtheir lower ends to their upper ends, and which are designed` tostraddle the sides of the lever, while the back ol2 the case rests orahnte against the edge of the lever. rlhe back of the case is alsoprovided with a transverse rib ,l2 between the flanges. which isdesigned to engage in a transve se notch or groove cut or filed in theedge ot the lever. Thus, the rib prevents the case from climbing orsliding on the lever, while the flanges resist any twisting or lateralstrain applied to tnc case. A lcl ip 13 embraces the lever and isprovided with bolt or tlireaded ends piercing the back ot' the casenextout side the respective flanges. Nuts llare threaded onto the endsol the clip so as to clamp the backoit the case tightly against thelever. Lock washers l5 are preferably interposed between the nuts andtheback of the case to prevent the retrograde movement or unscrewing of thenuts when tightened. It is to be observed that the opening l' providesready access into the case for Atightening the nuts.

A plunger is slidable through. the top and bottom ofthe case adjoiningthe back,

y and has a longitudinal llore extending from its .lower end to a pointshort of the upper end, the upper end of the plunger being formed into ahcaffl or button for the engagement of the operator`s linger to depressthe plunger. To the lower end oit the plunger there is secured the speedgate en gaging meniber proper, wl'iich c il' :dies a head 18 having ashank or tang threaded, welded,` lorazcd, or i'lhcrwim pcrnninrntlysecured within thc lower end olf the plunger, as at 17, after theplunger has heen inserted through the case. The head 18 adapted tonormally seat' against. the lower end or bcttom of the case, and isprovided with an integral fork 19. The fork is odset so that its armsoverlap or straddle the sides ot the lever and the arms have the outerdowi i e l wardly-tapered ribs or wedges 20. The butt ends of the armsare relatively wide, while the free ends are pointed.

The plunger is provided with slots 27 in its sides and within the case.and through which a pin 23 is passed. The pin 23 is carried by a pair oflingers 16 projecting from the back of the case and between which theplunger ts. A coiled wire compression spring is disposed within the boreTl-'land is seated between the pin Q3 and the upper end of the"plunger,so as to give an upward tension to the plunger. The spring may bereadily inserted into the plunger prior to the. introduction of theplunger through the case, and the pin 23 may be readily insertedunderthe spring,as permitted by theopening 7. Thus, the spring iseffectively concealed and still has a considerable latitude of play, andthe pin will be concealed by the cap. The plunger is also formed with aseries of ratchet. teeth 28 along its forward side below the. top of thecase.

The case is provided with a socket Q9 at its front ortion. fthe' socket.oneniinr ui! wardly or through the top, and a liey controlled mechanism30 is seated in the said socket. This mechanism embodies a case or bodytting snugly in the socket'. QS) flush with the top of the case (3. Theoase (l is further provided with a horizontal passage or slideway 3ldirectly below the socket, and which extends from the liront to theplunger. rThe `key-cimtrolled mechanism 30 includes an upright barrel 32designed to receive and be turned or rotated by a key, the lower end ofthe barrel projecting through the bottom of the socket and having aneccentric 33 depending therefrom within the. slideway 3l. lNithin theslideway 3l there is disposed a latch bolt 3d which has its inner nendbeveled to engage the ratchet teeth 28 to hold the plunger in depressedposition. The latch bolt has an upper notch or recess 35 in which theeccentric 33 is engaged, so that the latch bolt may be retracted by thebarrel. .il coiled wire spring 53; is also disposed in the slideway 3lbel'iind the latch bolt, and a pin 2li) is engaged tl'irough the outeror forward end of the slideway, the spring 86 being seated between thepiu Si) and the outer or forward end oi' the latch bolt to pressv thelatch bolt into engagement with ithe plunger. The lingers lll areconnected to the inner or rear end of the slidcway. It is evident thatthe mechanism 30, latch bolt, spring 36 and pin 39 may be easilyinserted into the case.

The key-controlled mechanism 3() may be adapted for any number of keys,that is, various mechanisms 30 may be provided for various locks so thatthe several locke. will require separate or distinct keys, and in -orderthat one lock may not be opened by the holder of a key for vanotherlocli.

iso

tangier The key 'changes 'may thus "be indefinite in number. To securethe case of the mechanism v30 in place, a pin or 'securing menibery 37is engaged through 'one side df the socket:y 29 Aand takes into vthesaid case, the pin -be` ing inclosed by the cap alter the cap is ap'-`pli-ed. It is also desirable to provide a; pivoted cap or cover 38 forthe mechanism? 30, in order to normally "exclude dust and to concealthebarrel 32. This cover 38 may, be readilyI swung intoand out ofposition.`

In use, z#the present lock may be quickly and leasily applied to thelever, it only loe-g ing necessary to le a small notch inv theI properyedge of the lever to receive the lrib;

12. The application oi the lock tothe level" does not unduly encumberthe lever or injure 'or `impair it in anyway. rThe case is-allso so'secured to 'the lever that undue' strains willy not Itend to distort orybreak the lock, this being particularly true in connection withj the'fork 'straddling 'the lever so that its;

arms may wedge between the sides of the lever and gate when the plungeris de-i pressed. After the case has been secured in osition and thevarious parts placed in. position, the cap may be secured to the oase`so as to prevent tampering 'with the working parts within lthe case. Thelever may be readily locked by simply depressing the plunger until thefork properly engages within the speed gate, the latch bolt engaging'the ratchet teeth 28 to prevent the .plunger `from rising until thebarrel 32 is,

turned by the proper key inserted thereinto.v The ratchet permits j thefork to lock at various positions as is necessary with the variouslevers, and by turning the barrel, the latch bolt may be retracted sothat the spring 25 will raise or release the fork with the plunger.

The many advantages and capabilities of the invention will be manifestfrom the foregoing.

What is claimed is y l. ln a lever lock for automobiles, a case, ahollow plunger slidable therethrough and having a speed gate .engagingmember at one end, means within the case for locking the plunger', and acoiled. wire spring housed within the plunger and seated between theplunger and case.

2. ln a lever lock for automobiles, a case, a hollow plunger slidabletherethrough and having a speed gate engaging member at one end, meanswithin the caseior locking the plunger, a member carried by the case andprojecting into the plunger, and a coiled wire spring housed within Itheplunger and seated between the said member and the plunger.

In a lever lock for automobiles, a case, a hollow plunger slidablethrough the case and having speed gate engaging means at one end, thecase having portions at the sides 'of the plunger and the plunger havingslots in itsI sides, 'a 'pin vcarried by thefsaid portions and passing'through thesaid slots, a coiled spring 'housed within the plunger andseated against the said pin, and means within the case for locking theplunger.

4. ln alever lock for automobiles, a case having an opening extendingfrom side to side, Ia. hollow plunger 'slidable `through the 'top 'and'bottom of the =case and having slots in its sides within the case, thecase having portionsat the sides o'f the plunger, a pin engaged :throughthe saidportions and passing-through the said slots, fa coiled springhoused within the plunger and seated against the said pin, a Ll-shapedcap for the opening in the case, and means for locking the plunger. e

5. ln a lever lock for automobiles, a case, \a plunger slidabletherethrough, the plunger having a bore extending fromone end to a pointshort of the other end and a slot within the case, a member-carried bythe case and projecting throughthe slot 'of 'the plunger, a coiledspring housed within the said bore and seated between the latter end otthe plunger and the saidmember, means within lthe case for locking theplunger, and a speed gate engaging member secured to the former,

'end ofthe p unger.

6. -In alever lock for automobiles, a case having anopening in its side,a plunger slidable through the top and bottom of the case, the plungerhaving a bore lextending from its lower end to 'a point short of theupper end and slots in its sides within the case, the case havingportions at the sides. of the plunger, a pin engaged through the saidportions and passing through the said slots,

a coiled wire sprin'gvhoused within the said bore and seated between theupper end of the plunger and the said pin, a speed gate engaging memberhaving a shank secured within the lower end of the plunger, means4within the case for locking the plunger, and a closure for the saidopening.

7 In a lever lock for automobiles, a case having a socket openingthrough its top and aslideway below the socket, a plunger slidablethrough the case and having speed gate engaging means at one end, alatch bolt slidable in the said slideway, keytfcontrolled means disposedwithin the said socket for actuating the latch bolt, the bolt serving tolock the plunger, and means engaging through one side of the socketwithin the case to secure the key contr0lled\ means within the socket.

8. ln a lever lock for automobiles, a case having a socket openingthrough its top and a slideway below the socket, a plunger slidablethrough the case and having speed gate engaging means at one end, aspring-pressed viis l side to side around the front, and a slidewaybelow the socket, a plunger slidable through the top and bottom of thecase adjoining the back, a latch boltslidable' in the slideway andengageable withthe plunger, a spring tting in the slideway behind thelatch bolt, key-controlled means including a case fitting in the socketand a barrel having its lower end engaged to the latch bolt, securingmeans engaged through the side of the socket and taking into the lastmentioned case, and a U-shaped closure for the opening in the case.

l0. In a lever lock for automobiles, a case adapted to abut against alever, the case having members to straddle the lever and a membertherebetween to engage a notch in the lever, a clip for embracing thelever and terminally securable within the ease, a plunger slidablethrough the case and having speed gate engaging means at one end, andmeans disposed within the case tor locking the plunger.

11. In a lever lock for automobiles, a ease adapted to abut against oneedge of a lever, the case having a-pair of flanges to overlap the sidesof the lever and a transverse rib between the tianges to engage atransverse notch in the edge of the lever, a clip for embracing thelever, the ends of the clip piercing the case next outside the flangesand being secured wit-hin the case, a plunger slid able through the caseand having speed gate `pngaging means at one end, and means with ln thecase' for looking the last mentioned member.

12. In a lever lock for automobiles, a case adapted to abut against alever and having an opening extending from side to side around therontand terminating adjoining the baci; of the case, a clip for embracingthe lever and having its ends piercing the back of the ease, nutsthreaded onto the ends of the clip to clamp the back of the case againstthe lever, a plunger slidable through the top and bottom of the case andhaving speed gate engaging means at one end, means within the case torlocking the plunger, and a U-'shaped cap for the opening.

13. In a lever lock for automobiles, a case having an opening extendingfrom side to side around the front and terminating adjoining the back, aplunger slidable through the top and bottom ofthe case and having speedgate engaging means at one end, means within the case for lockingtheplunger, and a U-shaped cap for the opening, the ease having inwardlyprojecting ears at the ends of the opening and the ends of the caphaving hooks to snap over the ears.

In testimony whereof I do hereby aliX my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

' EARNEST H. BRYANT.

Witnesses Louis ENGLANDER, Davis l). Bowman.

